Expression of interest
Goole Bicentenary Celebrations
17th to 19th July 2026
Register your interest here to become part of the 2026 flotilla.
In July 2026, the port and town of Goole will be celebrating its 200th birthday. Help us make that a very special weekend by joining our “flotilla” of waterways’ vessels.
In July 1826, the opening of the canal from Knottingley and the docks at Goole, was marked in fine style by the Aire and Calder Navigation Company. They organised a flotilla of 50 vessels which formed a procession from Ferrybridge to Goole Docks. Decorated with colourful flags, accompanied by bands of music and carrying many very important persons they were greeted at Goole by the discharge of cannons, more stirring band music and cheering from a great multitude of spectators.
Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society is among a group of community organisations working towards marking the bicentenary in a similarly grand manner. As part of the celebration, just like the opening two hundred years ago, we want to run a flotilla of waterways’ vessels, navigating from the canal and around Goole docks on the Saturday, under the watchful eyes of a VIP loaded review stand with members of the public positioned at viewing points around the docks.
We expect that participants from the waterways community who want to get involved in the flotilla will also enjoy the range of other entertainments running over that weekend. There will be musical events and plenty of opportunities for food and drink .
At this stage in our planning, we simply ask that if you are a boat owner and would like to take part in the flotilla event, please register your interest below. You may not hear from us for a number of months while we assess responses and feed that into the grand plan but we will get back to you with news.